Little helpers

I think next year he'll be big enough to push the lawn mower. Can't wait.

Dec 30

Today we de Christmas our house. I tell you, it has taken forever. We still have the tree up for Los Reyes, Jan 6. All of my nice and very beautiful decorations are down in boxes waiting for next year. And what a year that will be, 2008, it will be a challenging and interesting year.

The kids helped me as best they could, very enthusiastic about helping, but my oldest!? Look at her, I know it's in the 70's (21-25 degrees Celsius) but for crying out loud, MILU!

Playing

The panting you hear is Milu. She wants for me to throw her stupid ball for the 1000th time this day.

When Dad is gone

The rats dance upon the table.

Family dinner

We just had a great family dinner. The first time in all these years when we had Martas two brothers (American) and their families together for dinner. We were short two nieces and a few dogs, but Grandma and Grandpa were here to make up for them. All knows,a Shmid can't stay to long.I got to tell you though, I don't think that any of them realized that I was filming. We are enjoying a Frogmore stew, the heads that are to come off are shrimp heads, noting else, but if I don't watch my back, some lunatic Socs fan might have at me.

Aunt K

Aunt K is all worried that I post her picture and steal her identity of hers on the blog. She is right to be worried, I will post everything that she does that I can make fun of her for. For one, she married Uncle John. You've got it coming sister.

Nap

Nap my ass, I am at work instead. To top it off Marta wants for me to go over to Toys R Us for more presents. Los Reyes is on January 6th. I will obey and fight the crowd.

For the people of Dubai, I will terrorize you during Ramadan or what ever other family holiday that is of importance to you. As Julius Caesar ( I'm sorry Plutarchos, the Greek might have said it first but are not known as well to have done so) said so well;

ALEA IACTA EST!

I feel for him

Poor deprived child sick as a dog. I am really worried, good thing he gets the best medicine. As I write this he is watching Go Diego Go,The Jaguar rescue. All I hear from downstairs is Alex roaring like baby Jaguar. Sick as he is, poor child.

Sick child

I am at home with a sick child, Alex. He is wheezing up a storm as he always does when he is sick. One breathing treatment later and some Scooby Doo on the TV he is better. Still in his new Spiderman PJ's.

Marta got up at 6.00 this morning to meet Pam for the sales. They got us more outside decorations for next year. 10 ornaments for the oak tree, light nets for the bushes and a lit Snowman! I can't wait for next years decorations, if my count is right we will sport some 7500 lights. My arch enemy, neighbor and winner of best dressed house 2007 will have to hand over the trophy next year, I will be upset otherwise. I wonder if the son of a gun is out shopping for more lights himself, he's been talking LED. I will have to head to Walmart and Lowe's to see what else I can find. He does have a 8 foot snowman that really sets his decorations off. Maybe invite his kids over for a playdate, bribe them with hot chocolate to find out the secret plan of his for next year.

As soon as Marta and Fia are back from Mommy & Me at Isle of Palms, I will see about this. Maybe just have a family lunch first and maybe a nap.

Christmas at Granma and Grandpa's

Good food, good times and great presents, plenty of them as well.

Cookies for Santa

Surfer dude

Every body knows a surfer dude. Long hair, cool sunglasses and a Jeep with out the top on. Our Alex fits right in.

NO FIA!

After church yesterday the kids and I went down to the marina. We of course stopped at Wendy's to get us some food, a tradition or should I say a bribe, before we get there.

Nice and warm day, a few scattered showers so we never left the dock. We did go up to the marina store for some ice cream. Once in there we get the ice cream, Milu gets a treat, I chat with the staff and some fellow patrons. Good time right. That is when it happens, out of the corner of my eye I see it happen in slow motion. Fia has grabbed a bottle of wine and drops it to the tile floor. Wine is splashing every where and Milu is first to react, hell there's wine on the floor, thanks Sis!

Well, I just ponied up the cash for the wine, asked them to put it up a bit higher for next visit and reprimanded Fia. I was so hard on her that Alex started crying as well. Milu got an ear full as well, damn dog drinking wine like that.

We left for home and I went out last minute as always for Marta's present. I got her 2 things and I spent to much money, well, well. I got surfer dude Alex a pair of dark colored Crocs, since it is winter, and 2 pirate jib bits to go with them since I was so mean. If Fia gets a pair after breaking the wine, NOT! I don't care how cute she is, she's a menace.

The Grinch

Off course there has to be a Grinch around on Christmas. We have one at work that is in anything but good spirit. The luncheon will be disaster and all I want is to leave.

I guess a bit of wine and good food will make up for it. After that Buffalo Cafe with my boys.

One more day

I only have one more day to work this year which is great. I can use some time off. How ever, one sure is busy before closing down for a nice 11 days off. The way the holidays fall this year means that it is only 3 business days lost, not much would have been accomplished any how but panic is here, it has to be done before next YEAR!

Well, I have a busy as could be day tomorrow up until 1.00 pm, after that there is just a nice barbecue at work and off for the holidays.

Discrimination

Marta and the kids had a terrible encounter with discrimination at Walmart the other day. A greeter there apparently doesn't like Spanish speaking people if they walk in the store using the right hand door, you need to use the left. Like it matters, both sides open from the outside. To make matters worse he started screaming and yelling at Marta.

She went and talked to the manager who was very apologetic and promised this won't happen again.

Last night I went there to get some food for us. I was greeted at the door and offered a buggy. Thanks I said and would have been on my way if I didn't have had three Hispanic men behind me who were not let in the same door as me. See, I went in the "wrong door" which was fine for me but not for them. I stopped dead in my tracks, watch them walk back out, in again through the "right door" and get the buggy them selves.

I read the name tag on the greeter and guess what, same guy that discriminated Marta. I asked him what he was doing, he said sir here and there, to end it with that I would have to watch out for myself and see the manager if I dared.

I sure dared to see the manager, who took for ever to show up. Meanwhile, I was watching the guy, he let several groups of white and blacks in through the "wrong door" and there comes two Hispanics right behind, hell no, no entrance for them.

I was so boiling mad and sad that we have to live with this. I had a lengthy chat with the manager who assured me that this will be taken care of. I guess the fact that I video taped it all with my cell phone assures some action.

Marta was so proud of me last night for standing up against discrimination.

IOP postoffice

Marta and Fia went to the post office on Isle of Palms.

The line was long and the parking lot full of cars from the 3 big German houses Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW. Only one Japanese manufacturer was present, Lexus.

Marta held her own in a Swedish wagon with 3 car seats and full of dog hair.

Done!

We are done with Christmas shopping. Marta did most of it, I was present in a couple of stores but not many.

Last night we loaded up the Volvo with gifts for Alex's teachers,classmates and Sofia's playgroup buddies. We also loaded our Christmas cards ( for once they are supposed to make Europe in time according to the US post office) and gift donations for the Orphanage and My Sisters House.

Marta is like Santa today, handing it all out. She also has the stuff for Alex's schools party. I tell you, this takes a lot of time and money. I can't wait for this to be done with, it is crazy.

We do have one to buy for, my nephew is in to Bob the Builder, we can't seem to find that any where. I will go to one more store tonight, if they don't have it plan B will spring to life.

Not done yet

Isn't it amazing how different view it is from two ends of a table?

We had some friends over after Alex's party for adult dinner. Don't be fooled, there are 6 kids running around in the house as these pictures are taken (actually only 5, Amelia is next to me in the highchair, hard to run in it).

Alex's party

This place is unreal, everybody had a good time. The kids did jumping castles, mini golf, treasure hunt and all kind of games. Pizza, sodas and cake was also served.

Santa Claus

We went to see santa at the Annual Christmas Light Show here in town. They put up a tremedous amount of displays that are pretty cool. They also do the Merry Go Araound and roasted marsmellows etc.



One can only hope that Fia and Alex gets what they want,
at least they got to tell the big man himself. Fia was not

all that convinced that he is OK to be with.

New level of education

A card

A card in the mail can mean a lot to a almost 4 year old. Especially if it is from Farmor and Farfar. Alex got their card in the mail and it has to be on top of his dresser so that he can see it. So far I have read it for him 3 times.

Defroster

Grandma has bought us more lights, hell yeah! There is a fierce competition and a grand price for best decorated. I might have a shot this year, especially with our classy deer in the front.

I'm also contributing to global warming, unnecessary mercury evaporation and more. In my defense, beside it being Christmas time, is that we had a rodent sharpen it's teeth on various hoses and electrical cables on the Cadillac. Now the defroster doesn't work which is a pain in the ass since I park outside ( there is no way in hell I get the car in the garage, too many toys). I have two options to fix this.

1. Take the car to the mechanic.

2. Put up enough Christmas lights to keep the frost away.

I am going for # 2.

Appreciation

Fia really knows how to express her appreciation for her fathers hard work. If only mom was half as exited I could get away with all my crazy ideas.

Good night time

With Abi and Jaja her you would think that we have some one to step in for brushing teeth, putting on pj's and bedtime stories. Well I have been to Barcelona numerous times and after bringing the kids there, experience what loving grandparents are about, I will be very disappointed to morrow if I am not walking out on carrera Mallorca, zip code 08008 Barcelona.

Because tonight brought me back to one of my favorite places.

Pippi Långstrump wanna be

The turn out

Fia's room did turn out pretty good. All we are waiting for is Grandma who is making curtains, pillows and a bedspread. That is why I had to paint it Very Berry, which is by the way the 4th color in this room. Do I want to repaint it again? NOT!

Christmas spirit

Marta, Alex, Fia, Abi and Jaja went shopping. So did I buying more decorations. I chickened out and bought the cheap deer that doesn't move. Do you even know what body armor cost these days? I figure this is only one kick in the groin and since we decided that we are not having more kids the only thing that it will hurt is me for a few minutes.

That said, I can only imagine how Marta will appreciate this! Isn't it festive to drive down a street that looks like this?

Deer

Marta has strictly forbidden me to buy a couple of lighted deer displays for outside. Well now at Walmart they are on sale for 14.99 each. 200 lights on each deer and their heads even move.

Last night pulling in the drive way she says;

M: Where are the deer?

J: You told me that I couldn't buy any.

M: You never do what I tell you any way.

I take this as an open invitation to go and buy a few, a nice little herd to display in the front yard. I will head over to Walmart right away and hope they still have some left. Classier Christmas decoration you have to search for.

Maybe I should pick up some body armor for myself, you know, just in case I interpreted her wrong.

The Captain and Fia

7.20 pm 12/01/07 Charleston harbor, it is a bit cold.The lights in the back ground is Arthur Ravenel Jr bridge, spanning the Cooper river.

Oyster roast

Marta is greatly involved in the Moms club. They organize all kinds of play dates and activities for the stay at home moms. The kids and moms really benefit from this I think, I am a big supporter of this club.

One of the moms talked her husband in to have an oyster roast at there house. She's got a lot of pull because about 20 or so families showed up including the kids and I. Everybody knows my kids and Marta, not so many know me (1 other dad to be exact) so I got to hear; Ah, that's where the blond hair comes from. I also got plenty of mix ups; Sorry, I thought that was your wife.

Well, my wife is having a grand time in NY. I am how ever meeting the moms tomorrow for play group. I will see them at Barnes and Nobles and then we're going shopping. 2 of them wants to go have lunch afterword, what can I say, I'm psyked.

Before, during and after

If pink is not pink enough, go Very Berry!

Christmas parade of boats

Yesterday was the annual parade of boats. We have since we got Katie been out on the water to watch it. It is cold as hell and everybody gets to see the lights and fireworks but me. I'm busy navigating, not that there are that many boats out but try to see a crabpot buoy in the pitch black darkness. I do not want to jump in to cut that of the prop at night in the cold. Done that in the cold and naked infront of the tourboat one to many a time but that's an other story.

The kids and I went out with a group of friends and we had a good old time. This year there were some really great boats. People went to lengts to win the grand price that I have no idea of what that is. All in all there were maybe 40 boats in the parade followed by excellent fireworks.

Flag football

Alex is playing flag football. It is what I understand a kid friendly version of the real deal, a coworker told me that adults play it too and it seams to be a lot of fun. Each player has a belt with flags around their waist. The defending team is to jerk the flag of the guy with the ball. If they do they get the ball and tries to score a touch down.

Alex scored a touch down yesterday but I think he is more in to soccer. Any way, to see these 4 year old run back and forth on the field is great. One of his team mates, given the ball, will not stop running at all flags lost or not. He was all across the park yesterday with the coach and his parents trying to get him. Hilarius.